Didn't the greatest show on turf, 2001 Rams, use a lot of play action?
Didn't PATs put a spy, I think it was Willy, on the RB which made life real
difficult for M.Faulk?
Would a RB spy work here? If so who? Mayo?
If the play becomes a pass Mayo is pass rusher otherwise plays run D.
But how to keep Mayo free so he has space to pursue?

I think BB will attack the play-action by focusing on shutting down the run, because doing that serves a dual purpose, it takes away the play-action and it squeezes the pocket. The longer Schaub is in the pocket the less effective he is. I think we'll see a lot of "contain" rushing.

Schaub has become a much more deliberate QB now and is keen on avoiding risky throws over the middle, something he used to do quite a bit. He will invariably opt for the safe sideline options.

I think we'll see a high dose of run blitzing from Spikes and\or Mayo. The Pats will stay in base a lot but this might be a game to get Chung more involved but as a hybrid LB not a S. I think he could play on the LOS over one of the TEs and do well both covering and chipping them while at the same time giving good run support. If they are going to find a role for this this might be the time and the role.

Agree on Jones and Nincovich needing to set the edge. I also think Hightower will be actively involved in this role and also hitting the TEs. He needs to do a better job of this than he's done in some other games. On the bootlegs by Shaub I like Jones speed and length to affect that play and Nincovich is very solid on not taking the cheese. I more worry about the defensive backs biting and leaving one of the Texan's receiver 15 yards open.

I think we'll see a high dose of run blitzing from Spikes and\or Mayo. The Pats will stay in base a lot but this might be a game to get Chung more involved but as a hybrid LB not a S. I think he could play on the LOS over one of the TEs and do well both covering and chipping them while at the same time giving good run support. If they are going to find a role for this this might be the time and the role.

Agree on Jones and Nincovich needing to set the edge. I also think Hightower will be actively involved in this role and also hitting the TEs. He needs to do a better job of this than he's done in some other games. On the bootlegs by Shaub I like Jones speed and length to affect that play and Nincovich is very solid on not taking the cheese. I more worry about the defensive backs biting and leaving one of the Texan's receiver 15 yards open.

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Chung hasn't been playing in base. He only comes on in nickel as the 3rd safety. That's how far down the depth chart he is.

Didn't the greatest show on turf, 2001 Rams, use a lot of play action?
Didn't PATs put a spy, I think it was Willy, on the RB which made life real
difficult for M.Faulk?
Would a RB spy work here? If so who? Mayo?
If the play becomes a pass Mayo is pass rusher otherwise plays run D.
But how to keep Mayo free so he has space to pursue?

So any ideas here?

Click to expand...

The scheme you reference regarding the Rams was that BB determined the Rams offense was all timing, and Faulk was the key, therefore all players were instructed that if he comes their way to hit him. Willie happened to be the one in that position the most.
I don't think a spy is a means to defend playaction, a spy is used to 'spy' a scrambling QB or a RB that catches a lot of screen passes.
Defending playction has a lot to do with the safeties. The reason play action works is that against a zone defense you get defenders to move forward to play the run, and therefore be slow into their drops creating bigger seams. It works inside more than outside,because corners are much less susceptible because their run D responsibliities are not as crucial. LBs will always 'bite' on play action so the safeties are key, however, that leads to the safeites being a step slow in run support. Our big front 7, 2 gap philosophy results in much less pressure on the safeties to sell out for the run, which is why we historically are good vs play action.
5-10 years ago, 1st down play action was a key to beating our defense. That was how Shanahan was always successful (and Kubiak is a disciple) so look for that, but look for BB to be prepared.
Of course play action takes longer, and is much less successful vs a blitz, so watch for some 1st down stunts, and run blitzes with man coverage behind it to counter act that.

I think BB will attack the play-action by focusing on shutting down the run, because doing that serves a dual purpose, it takes away the play-action and it squeezes the pocket. The longer Schaub is in the pocket the less effective he is. I think we'll see a lot of "contain" rushing.

Schaub has become a much more deliberate QB now and is keen on avoiding risky throws over the middle, something he used to do quite a bit. He will invariably opt for the safe sideline options.

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Can you explain what you mean by playing a scheme designed to shut down the run taking away play action? Wouldn't it be the opposite?

Can you explain what you mean by playing a scheme designed to shut down the run taking away play action? Wouldn't it be the opposite?

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I would think that when you try to collapse the pocket quicker than the play-action is allowed to develop, this would do the job. In the act of collapsing the pocket, I would think we'd "contain" rush which would allow one of the lineman to quickly shed if the RB gets a ball and tries to exploit a lane.

Just listened to Greg Cosell talk a little bit about HOU's play action. Said that it's insane how hard it is to defend... that sometimes a DL guy is unblocked, but the fake takes care of him anyways.

Also said that it will be interesting to see whether BB puts Talib on AJ, or if he doubles AJ and puts his best corner (Talib, implied) on the #2 guy (Daniels?).

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I wonder if we'll see the Pats try to confuse Schaub by disguising coverages they way they used to in the old days, or even see some ameboid elements. Unlikely, but it wouldn't shock me to see a few surprises.

Just listened to Greg Cosell talk a little bit about HOU's play action. Said that it's insane how hard it is to defend... that sometimes a DL guy is unblocked, but the fake takes care of him anyways.

Also said that it will be interesting to see whether BB puts Talib on AJ, or if he doubles AJ and puts his best corner (Talib, implied) on the #2 guy (Daniels?).

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Don't think they will double AJ but will probably bracket him by converting McCourty into rover safety and cheating him to where AJ aligns on the LOS. I think we'll be in the 4-3 under nickel with Arrington picking up Daniels.

I wonder if we'll see the Pats try to confuse Schaub by disguising coverages they way they used to in the old days, or even see some ameboid elements. Unlikely, but it wouldn't shock me to see a few surprises.

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I was thinking BB may come up with something special for this team.
But maybe he'll save it. Since there is a good possibility that PATs
may see the Texans in the playoffs and knowing how BB always likes
to be prepared for the future he may not show his whole hand at this time.
PATs are in the playoffs and so this not a must have game.

Don't think they will double AJ but will probably bracket him by converting McCourty into rover safety and cheating him to where AJ aligns on the LOS. I think we'll be in the 4-3 under nickel with Arrington picking up Daniels.

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I'm assuming you mean 4-2 nickel, but wouldn't it make sense to have a bigger DB on Daniels if you are going to go man coverage? Is your thinking that Arringtom hurts us the least on someone who is unlikely to get deep?

I wonder if we'll see the Pats try to confuse Schaub by disguising coverages they way they used to in the old days, or even see some ameboid elements. Unlikely, but it wouldn't shock me to see a few surprises.

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I dont think we disgusie coverages any less than we used to. Some of the NFLN and ESPN shows have started to point out these examples as they analyze our D (seems they analyze it a lot more when it does well).
The ameboid is more of a disguising the rush. I'm not sure why we don't do that, but it seems like discipline is a work in progress for our defense, so that may well be why.

I would think that when you try to collapse the pocket quicker than the play-action is allowed to develop, this would do the job. In the act of collapsing the pocket, I would think we'd "contain" rush which would allow one of the lineman to quickly shed if the RB gets a ball and tries to exploit a lane.

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Well, if we are trying to stop the run we wouldn't really be collapsing the pocket. That is why play action works, despite being slow developing because your passrushers are preoccupied with their run D duties.
Your last sentence suggests the opposite, playing the pass and hoping you are in position for the run.

Well first there are way too many variables going into that stat to make it extremely useful, although 'average' isn't much of a statement.
Of course being average on play action when being less than average on all pass defense would support that our scheme handles pa well.
Like I said, our scheme and philopshy is conducive to defending PA because we typically do not ask our safeties to make plays up near the los in the running game.